First time in Vietnam: Newspaper office becomes lecture hall

MSc. Dang Nhu Thao - Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Creative Communication, Nguyen Tat Thanh University and Mr. Le Xuan Trung - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper (middle) - with the lecturers of the class at the opening ceremony - Photo: HUU HANH

In this first semester of cooperation, nearly 200 second-year full-time university students majoring in public relations and multimedia communications at Nguyen Tat Thanh University participated in a direct training course at Tuoi Tre newspaper.

Teaching practical, media thinking

After a brief and solemn opening ceremony held on the morning of June 14 at Tuoi Tre newspaper, the students entered the first subject "Organizing photos in the media". The first class was taught by journalist Nguyen Cong Thanh - former head of the Tuoi Tre newspaper's photo department and photojournalists of Tuoi Tre newspaper.

In addition to a basic introduction to cameras, journalist Nguyen Cong Thanh provides students with background knowledge about photography and topic thinking with specific illustrative examples.

Before starting the practice, students are also instructed in photography techniques for different types of photos such as news photos, portrait photos, event photos... For each specific topic, the lecturer asks students to answer what kind of photos should be taken.

"Thinking about the photo subject is very important. When an event happens, the photographer needs to think about the images to be taken before arriving at the scene, not just taking random photos. We will analyze each photo and each student's work activity in detail so that you can see where the advantages and limitations are.

In addition, students will also participate in some events organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper to take photos of the events - something they will probably encounter a lot in their future work," said Mr. Thanh.

Many students said they had taken a lot of photos to post on social networks but did not really understand the process of creating a photo, from the photo's thinking to the shooting angle and composition.

Le Thi Hong Nhung - a second-year student majoring in public relations - shared that she feels interested and attracted by the practical teaching method at Tuoi Tre newspaper.

"I personally like making media products so this subject is very interesting. We are equipped with basic knowledge and then practice to see how far we can apply the knowledge" - Nhung said.

Associate Professor Dr. Vu Quang Hao - Head of the Creative Media Department of Nguyen Tat Thanh University - commented that journalism and media training in Vietnam has long been conducted only in university lecture halls, with internships and practice at press agencies, but the time is not much.

With this new training model, some practical courses will be taught directly at the press agency. This helps to make the most of the ability, qualifications, and experience of journalists as well as the technical equipment of the newspaper.

"Especially knowledge, journalism skills, and media thinking - things that universities cannot teach in the classroom. Students quickly accumulate media thinking when being guided by reporters and participating in the production of real products. That is the way to learn thinking from real-life teachers" - Mr. Hao said.

Students speak and ask questions at the opening ceremony of the training cooperation program between Nguyen Tat Thanh University and Tuoi Tre newspaper - Photo: HUU HANH

Opportunities for students

For the first time in Vietnam, a press agency has participated in training some modules in the regular university program. The training is conducted in a practical, practical approach, creating real media products.

In addition to being provided with basic knowledge of the course and on-site practical guidance, students will be taken to departments with the guidance of reporters and editors, and participate in the production of real products.

Journalist Le Xuan Trung - deputy editor-in-chief of Tuoi Tre newspaper - believes that students studying and practicing in a new environment compared to the university environment will hopefully have new creative ideas, approach careers, and accumulate practical experience.

Students studying at Tuoi Tre newspaper will have access to the process of creating new media products, working with reporters, and handling real-life situations - things that you may not have access to in university lectures. This is very necessary for future work and careers.

Tuoi Tre Newspaper will create conditions for students to practice and work as journalists. Reporters with a lot of professional experience, life experience, and career experience are always ready to exchange and guide students.

Bringing students to training at businesses is not new, but bringing the lecture hall to the newspaper office is the first time.

Dr. Tran Ai Cam, principal of Nguyen Tat Thanh University, said that training cooperation with businesses has been implemented by Nguyen Tat Thanh University and other universities.

However, that is in other fields and professions. Nguyen Tat Thanh University cooperates with Tuoi Tre newspaper to train, marking the first time a training institution has cooperated with an employer in the media industry. That is a breakthrough in training methods.

According to Ms. Cam, the people who benefit the most from this cooperation are the students when they are guided and practice in a professional journalism environment.

In reality, no university can invest in as many diverse equipment and technology as a newspaper office, nor can it allow students to fully implement the journalism process and produce media products like in newspapers.

Some products of students in the first class at Tuoi Tre newspaper

"Different from school"

Feelings after the first class at Tuoi Tre newspaper, Tran Thi Thu Thao - a second-year student majoring in public relations - said "it's different from studying at school". The difference here, according to Thao, is the concise, detailed teaching method and practical instructions right in class after each lesson.

Thao hopes that this training will help her grasp the techniques and processes when making a media product. This will help Thao have interesting experiences and better understand her future career and work.

"Who knows, maybe I will be a colleague of you reporters in a few years" - Thao happily said.

Historical milestone

MSc. Dang Nhu Thao - Deputy Head of the Faculty of Creative Communication, Nguyen Tat Thanh University - assessed this as a milestone in the history of communication training when the lecture hall was brought into the newsroom.

Ms. Thao said that training at the editorial office helps to narrow the gap between theory and practice. In addition to learning knowledge, students also practice, gain experience, develop themselves, and expand relationships that contribute to future career development.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/lan-dau-tien-tai-viet-nam-toa-soan-bao-thanh-giang-duong-20240615093241064.htm